Karl_K

[kenny]

@Karl_K

Often when I admire my Octavia I think of you with thoughts of gratitude.
May we please know more about how you became someone who could create such a special, complex, and beautiful thing?

Would you describe the beginning and the progression of your interest in diamonds, and diamond cutting?
And can you recall the original thought-seed that grew into your radical Octavia cut?

 

[Karl_K]

The short story is im a Geek, when I decide I want to learn about something I jump in with both feet!
Over the years that has been from my childhood, construction, HVAC, mechanical devices, electrical ,electronics, computers and then diamonds.
By 8 years old I was involved in home construction and HVAC with my dad at his side gig.
I always wanted to know not only how but why?
Why was that board put there and why are 2 boards used there?
Why are certain nails used for one thing and not another.
I was a real pest LOL!
I like to say I have leaned and forgotten more about more varied topics than most people will ever learn.
There are 2 that I have stuck with the longest they are computers and diamonds.
Designing diamonds combined the 2 in a lot of ways.
More of the diamond specific story is here:

One consumer’s journey to the trade

This is the story of my journey to becoming a Diamond Designer. The early years: Looking back over the years what stands out is not so much events, but the […]

www.pricescope.com

 

[Karl_K]

@Karl_K

And can you recall the original thought-seed that grew into your radical Octavia cut?

There were 2 influences:
1: someone posted a rough crystal with the top broke off and I thought to myself I would just use the whole thing and put some facets on it!
2: Valorie101 posted a picture of an antique asscher at one time that was exactly that.

By that time I was already bored with all the RB debates as they were just going in circles and had branched off into step-cuts.

 

[yssie]

I was already bored with all the RB debates as they were just going in circles

HAH.

 

[LightBright]

The short story is im a Geek, when I decide I want to learn about something I jump in with both feet!
Over the years that has been from my childhood, construction, HVAC, mechanical devices, electrical ,electronics, computers and then diamonds.
By 8 years old I was involved in home construction and HVAC with my dad at his side gig.
I always wanted to know not only how but why?
Why was that board put there and why are 2 boards used there?
Why are certain nails used for one thing and not another.
I was a real pest LOL!
I like to say I have leaned and forgotten more about more varied topics than most people will ever learn.
There are 2 that I have stuck with the longest they are computers and diamonds.
Designing diamonds combined the 2 in a lot of ways.
More of the diamond specific story is here:

One consumer’s journey to the trade

This is the story of my journey to becoming a Diamond Designer. The early years: Looking back over the years what stands out is not so much events, but the […]

www.pricescope.com

The link was fascinating to read about how you developed your skills and designed the beautiful OctaviaTM. Being an antique cut lover, I’ve always loved the Octavia design especially that it has such depth and is beautiful from all angles. Thank you Karl!

PS I miss Valoria and also found much inspiration in Valoria’s posts.

 

[Begonia]

I'm such an uneducated goof. That was you @Karl_K???
Cool.
Very cool.

 

[Karl_K]

I'm such an uneducated goof.

Not true!!

 

[Begonia]

Not true!!

I think of our legacy (or afterlife if there isn't a heaven after all) as the love, traditions, memories we pass on to our kids.
@Karl_K , you are also passing on the creation of a very beautiful diamond cut.
Way cool.

 

[jordyonbass]

The short story is im a Geek, when I decide I want to learn about something I jump in with both feet!
Over the years that has been from my childhood, construction, HVAC, mechanical devices, electrical ,electronics, computers and then diamonds.
By 8 years old I was involved in home construction and HVAC with my dad at his side gig.
I always wanted to know not only how but why?
Why was that board put there and why are 2 boards used there?
Why are certain nails used for one thing and not another.
I was a real pest LOL!
I like to say I have leaned and forgotten more about more varied topics than most people will ever learn.
There are 2 that I have stuck with the longest they are computers and diamonds.
Designing diamonds combined the 2 in a lot of ways.
More of the diamond specific story is here:

One consumer’s journey to the trade

This is the story of my journey to becoming a Diamond Designer. The early years: Looking back over the years what stands out is not so much events, but the […]

www.pricescope.com

Sorry to threadjack slightly - but have you done any research into the actuators that adjust the panels on the James Webb Space Telescope? From what you're describing about your curiosity, I think it would be right up your alley due to the sheer engineering solutions made.

They're a step-down gearing mechanism that is designed to make nanometre adjustments (one-millionth of a millimetre) across a range of 21mm. I got to talk to Bob Warden who designed it and I can't fathom how he invented this thing, he sent me a video of the Lego model he made to show how it works.

 

[Karl_K]

Sorry to threadjack slightly - but have you done any research into the actuators that adjust the panels on the James Webb Space Telescope? From what you're describing about your curiosity, I think it would be right up your alley due to the sheer engineering solutions made.

They're a step-down gearing mechanism that is designed to make nanometre adjustments (one-millionth of a millimetre) across a range of 21mm. I got to talk to Bob Warden who designed it and I can't fathom how he invented this thing, he sent me a video of the Lego model he made to show how it works.

Using flexures makes a lot of sense for this type of thing.
Bevel gears have a lot of backlash so its surprising to see them even in the course stage.
I'm shocked to see no mention of a feedback loop like an optical encoder to detect stall conditions.
One of the things I did a lot of fun research on lately is CNC control and CNC machines.
One of the first things you learn is just because you send a movement pulse to a stepper motor does not mean your going to get one.
That is why a feedback loop is used with optical encoders. Send pulse wait for signal from encoder to make sure it moved.

This thing is really 1950s tech but it works.

 

[Karl_K]

This thing is really 1950s tech but it works.

That is not an insult, to do it that way takes a lot more skill than the modern way of doing it by throwing more drives and sensors at it. Which has way more to go wrong.

 

[jordyonbass]

That is not an insult, to do it that way takes a lot more skill than the modern way of doing it by throwing more drives and sensors at it. Which has way more to go wrong.

It's like the old saying goes; if it ain't broke then no need to fix it. I just can't believe it's adjustable by 2 nanometres at a time. Old tech with modern requirements.

The video you posted is where I first got to talk to Bob, the YouTube channel pinned his comment to the top and a bunch of us are in there asking him questions!

 

[Karl_K]

It's like the old saying goes; if it ain't broke then no need to fix it. I just can't believe it's adjustable by 2 nanometres at a time. Old tech with modern requirements.

The video you posted is where I first got to talk to Bob, the YouTube channel pinned his comment to the top and a bunch of us are in there asking him questions!

way kewl, will check out the comments later.

 

[Karl_K]

It is bad that I left a bunch of things off that list but I left the one that has to do with my strmrdr nickname that I used when I joined PS. For a short time I was a storm chaser this was back before being a storm chaser was kewl.
Hence storm rider, strmrdr
Stormy for short.

 

[AprilBaby]

I can’t believe you and wifey have been together so long! It’s seems like the wedding was yesterday! Didn’t she have a ruby ring at the time? Does she have an Octavia now?

 

[Karl_K]

I can’t believe you and wifey have been together so long! It’s seems like the wedding was yesterday! Didn’t she have a ruby ring at the time? Does she have an Octavia now?

Yes she has a channel set diamond and ruby ring, and 2 ruby wrap for her e-ring.
We have Octavia #1 that was cut on the board and started the Octavia story.
She has worn it a few times but it remains ours
The plan at one time was a third e-ring upgrade to the Octavia but we are both to sentimental about her current one. It is her ering upgrade and cancer survival ring.

 

[Karl_K]

my wifey and I at a park after a wedding we attended recently. Wifey got to carry the flower girl down the isle so she is more dressed up than I am.

 

[kenny]

Beautiful pic, Karl!

Above, you posted you kept #1, the first Octavia cut.
If you have a list of the order of cutting, what are the numbers of the two Octavias that I bought?
1.34 H VS2 in Dec 2009 (I think it was first sold)
1.51 G VS2 (I can't find the year).

Thanks.

 

[Karl_K]

Beautiful pic, Karl!

Above, you posted you kept #1, the first Octavia cut.
If you have a list of the order of cutting, what are the numbers of the two Octavias that I bought?
1.34 H VS2 in Dec 2009 (I think it was first sold)
1.51 G VS2 (I can't find the year).

Thanks.

Thank you!
Unfortunately I do not have a complete list.
A lot of the information is buried in my backup disks over the years.
Yoram may have more info.
@diagem

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

It is bad that I left a bunch of things off that list but I left the one that has to do with my strmrdr nickname that I used when I joined PS. For a short time I was a storm chaser this was back before being a storm chaser was kewl.
Hence storm rider, strmrdr
Stormy for short.

diamonds sound a lot safer than chasing twisters
just sayin'

 

[diagem]

Thank you!
Unfortunately I do not have a complete list.
A lot of the information is buried in my backup disks over the years.
Yoram may have more info.
@diagem

Sorry guys..., was traveling and couldn't post. I will need to get into my old records which are in my office, I will be there right after our New Year holiday sometimes towards the end of this next week.

 

[kenny]

Thanks Yoram.

 

[AprilBaby]

Yes she has a channel set diamond and ruby ring, and 2 ruby wrap for her e-ring.
We have Octavia #1 that was cut on the board and started the Octavia story.
She has worn it a few times but it remains ours
The plan at one time was a third e-ring upgrade to the Octavia but we are both to sentimental about her current one. It is her ering upgrade and cancer survival ring.

I have to say I love her ruby diamond ring! It is one of the prettiest I have ever seen. I wasn’t aware she had cancer. I will never forget the time she called me in the hospital when I was going through my ordeal. She is a true gem.

 

[Dr_Diesel]

@Karl_K

Often when I admire my Octavia I think of you with thoughts of gratitude.
May we please know more about how you became someone who could create such a special, complex, and beautiful thing?

Would you describe the beginning and the progression of your interest in diamonds, and diamond cutting?
And can you recall the original thought-seed that grew into your radical Octavia cut?

I share your sentiment, Kenny. I often think of you, Karl and Yoram when I look at mine. Thank you so much for asking this question. I am excited to get to know the man behind this miraculous design.